Heyward-Bey shows signs of improvement

Published 4:00 am, Sunday, August 29, 2010

The names Darrius Heyward-Bey and Michael Crabtreewill always be linked after the Raiders shocked the world last year by drafting Heyward-Bey three spots ahead of the more accomplished Crabtree.

They were supposed to meet on the field for the first time Saturday night at the Oakland Coliseum, but Crabtree was a late scratch with a stiff neck.

Heyward-Bey is just back himself from a mysterious "fatigue" break, but he showed Raiders fans a glimpse of the improvement he showed at training camp. He caught three passes for 46 yards before coming out with the rest of the starters in the third quarter.

He had two catches for 29 yards in the first quarter - including a 22-yarder across the middle - and a 17-yard third-down catch that moved the chains in the third quarter.

"It's nice to see him get started that way," coach Tom Cablesaid. "That third-down catch, that was a big ball."

Heyward-Bey, who did have a drop in the third quarter, is 15 pounds heavier this year, and he has worked hard on catching with his hands and not his chest and being more explosive out of cuts and after catches.

Oakland's Darrius Heyward-Bey with a 17 yards pass completion in the third quarter, covered by 49ers 52-Patrick Willis, as the Oakland Raiders take on the San Francisco 49ers in NFL pre-season action on Saturday August 28, 2010 in Oakland, Calif. less

Oakland's Darrius Heyward-Bey with a 17 yards pass completion in the third quarter, covered by 49ers 52-Patrick Willis, as the Oakland Raiders take on the San Francisco 49ers in NFL pre-season action on ... more

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

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Josh Morgan hauls in a 16-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter of the 49ers' preseason game against the Raiders in Oakland on Saturday.

Josh Morgan hauls in a 16-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter of the 49ers' preseason game against the Raiders in Oakland on Saturday.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

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Louis Murphy leaps into the crowd after his 74-yard touchdown catch and run in the second quarter of the Raiders' game against the 49ers in Oakland on Saturday.

Louis Murphy leaps into the crowd after his 74-yard touchdown catch and run in the second quarter of the Raiders' game against the 49ers in Oakland on Saturday.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

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The training staff tends to Raiders quarterback Jason Campbell after a hard sack in the second quarter against the 49ers in Oakland on Saturday. Campbell was injured and left the game after the play.

The training staff tends to Raiders quarterback Jason Campbell after a hard sack in the second quarter against the 49ers in Oakland on Saturday. Campbell was injured and left the game after the play.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

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Raiders quarterback Jason Campbell is helped off the field after he left the game in the second quarter against the 49ers in Oakland on Saturday.

Raiders quarterback Jason Campbell is helped off the field after he left the game in the second quarter against the 49ers in Oakland on Saturday.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

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San Francisco head coach Mike Singletary checks on Jason Campbell after the Raiderrs quarterback was injured on a sack in the second quarter in Oakland on Saturday.

San Francisco head coach Mike Singletary checks on Jason Campbell after the Raiderrs quarterback was injured on a sack in the second quarter in Oakland on Saturday.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

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San Francisco running back Brian Westbrook avoids Raiders defenders in the second quarter in Oakland on Saturday.

San Francisco running back Brian Westbrook avoids Raiders defenders in the second quarter in Oakland on Saturday.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

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Running back Frank Gore busts through for a 49-yard gain in the first quarter of the Oakland Raiders vs. San Francisco 49ers pre-season football game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. on Saturday, Aug. 28, 2010. less

Running back Frank Gore busts through for a 49-yard gain in the first quarter of the Oakland Raiders vs. San Francisco 49ers pre-season football game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. on Saturday, Aug. 28, ... more

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

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San Francisco running back Anthony Dixon is separated from his helmet in the fourth quarter against the Raiders in Oakland on Saturday.

San Francisco running back Anthony Dixon is separated from his helmet in the fourth quarter against the Raiders in Oakland on Saturday.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

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San Francisco's Nate Byham can't hold onto a pass in the second quarter while being covered by the Raiders' Stanford Routt on Saturday in Oakland.

San Francisco's Nate Byham can't hold onto a pass in the second quarter while being covered by the Raiders' Stanford Routt on Saturday in Oakland.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

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Oakland quarterback Bruce Gradkowski looks for a receiver during the third quarter, as the Oakland Raiders take on the San Francisco 49ers in NFL pre-season action on Saturday August 28, 2010 in Oakland, Calif.

Oakland quarterback Bruce Gradkowski looks for a receiver during the third quarter, as the Oakland Raiders take on the San Francisco 49ers in NFL pre-season action on Saturday August 28, 2010 in Oakland, Calif.

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

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Frank Gore runs through a hole in the Raiders defensive line in the first quarter of the Oakland Raiders vs. San Francisco 49ers pre-season football game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. on Saturday, Aug. 28, 2010. less

Frank Gore runs through a hole in the Raiders defensive line in the first quarter of the Oakland Raiders vs. San Francisco 49ers pre-season football game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. on Saturday, Aug. 28, ... more

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

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Raiders quarterback Jason Campbell left the game after a hard-hitting sack from the 49ers' Travis LaBoy in the second quarter in Oakland on Saturday.

Raiders quarterback Jason Campbell left the game after a hard-hitting sack from the 49ers' Travis LaBoy in the second quarter in Oakland on Saturday.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

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Phillip Adams returns a punt 83-yards for a touchdown in the second quarter of the 49ers' preseason game against the Raiders in Oakland on Saturday.

Phillip Adams returns a punt 83-yards for a touchdown in the second quarter of the 49ers' preseason game against the Raiders in Oakland on Saturday.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

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San Francisco's 46- Delanie Walker with a big gain in the first quarter to the 2 yard line, which was negated by a penalty making it a 28 yard pick-up, chased by Oakland's 21-Nnamdi Asomugha, as the Oakland Raiders take on the San Francisco 49ers in NFL pre-season action on Saturday August 28, 2010 in Oakland, Calif. less

San Francisco's 46- Delanie Walker with a big gain in the first quarter to the 2 yard line, which was negated by a penalty making it a 28 yard pick-up, chased by Oakland's 21-Nnamdi Asomugha, as the Oakland ... more

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

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San Francisco's Frank Gore on a 49-yard run in the first quarter against the Raiders on Saturday in Oakland.

San Francisco's Frank Gore on a 49-yard run in the first quarter against the Raiders on Saturday in Oakland.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

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Raiders 29- Michael Bush celebrates his first quarter touchdown carry to take the early lead, as the Oakland Raiders take on the San Francisco 49ers in NFL pre-season action on Saturday August 28, 2010 in Oakland, Calif. less

Raiders 29- Michael Bush celebrates his first quarter touchdown carry to take the early lead, as the Oakland Raiders take on the San Francisco 49ers in NFL pre-season action on Saturday August 28, 2010 in ... more

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

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49ers head coach Mike Singletary keeps an eye on things from the sidelines as the Oakland Raiders take on the San Francisco 49ers in NFL pre-season action on Saturday August 28, 2010 in Oakland, Calif.

49ers head coach Mike Singletary keeps an eye on things from the sidelines as the Oakland Raiders take on the San Francisco 49ers in NFL pre-season action on Saturday August 28, 2010 in Oakland, Calif.

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

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49er's head coach, Mike Singletary walks the sidelines, as the Oakland Raiders take on the San Francisco 49ers in NFL pre-season action on Saturday August 28, 2010 in Oakland, Calif.

49er's head coach, Mike Singletary walks the sidelines, as the Oakland Raiders take on the San Francisco 49ers in NFL pre-season action on Saturday August 28, 2010 in Oakland, Calif.

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

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Raiders quarterback Jason Campbell goes back to pass in the second quarter of the Oakland Raiders vs. San Francisco 49ers pre-season football game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. on Saturday, Aug. 28, 2010.

Raiders quarterback Jason Campbell goes back to pass in the second quarter of the Oakland Raiders vs. San Francisco 49ers pre-season football game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. on Saturday, Aug. 28, 2010.

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

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Heyward-Bey shows signs of improvement

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Super subs: Linebacker Quentin Grovesrose to the occasion, having his best preseason game in the one that counted the most - a week before the Sept. 4 final cut-down day. Reserve defensive end Chris Cooperand outside linebacker Thomas Howardalso played well.

Briefly: Defensive tackle Richard Seymoursuited up but didn't play, as apparently his sore triceps is still bothering him. ... Defensive tackle Desmond Bryantleft the game with an elbow injury. ... Rookie center Jared Veldheer had a nice push on Michael Bush's 1-yard touchdown run (and the 3-yard run preceding it) but had trouble with the Niners' stunts. San Francisco linebacker Patrick Willislooked like an 18-wheeler coming down an open highway down the middle on several plays. ... Sebastian Janikowski's 57-yard field goal in the third quarter was especially impressive as he kicked it out of the infield dirt. ... The Raiders came very close to stopping the Niners on three tries for one yard early in the second quarter. But Nnamdi Asomughawas called for holding Ted Ginn Jr. on 4th-and-1 at the Oakland 16-yard line.